How long before you can get a TS clearance as a MAVNI?

Peter Levine, the Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, issued a new memo in September 2016 that says that MAVNIs cannot get any sort of security clearance (not even an interim one), until they have completed their first term of service. This means that henceforth, no MAVNI can be an officer or serve as a military linguist or otherwise hold a job that requires a security clearance, until the MAVNI has completed his or her first term of service. The order is probably unconstitutional (MAVNIs seeking security clearances are US citizens, and the same rule does not apply to green card holders or other noncitizen enlistees who have naturalized through military service) but it will take awhile before a lawsuit makes its way through the courts.

They are probably saying 2 years to account for your time in MAVNI. And getting a TS as a Natural born citizen straight out of high school with the basic information for the SF86 is said to be taking upwards of 18 months for the investigation. If you plan to make the Army a career then hang in there. Just remember the Army has the whole Hurry up and Wait mentality. Hope this helps you understand the whole two year time-frame.

I've never heard of a time in service requirement for a security clearance. Once you are transferred to your new position, and assuming you are in a position that requires a TS, work with your S-2 shop to begin to initiate your security clearance process. Once it starts processing, it can take a few months to over a year to complete the processing depending on your background and situation.